Accredited solar installers and approved sellers

To ensure you receive the solar rebate and get a system designed and installed to Australian standards, you must:

• Have an SAA accredited installer install your system
• Use Clean Energy Council approved panels and inverter

It is essential that you have an accredited solar installer install your system. Formerly known as CEC accredited installers, it is an SAA accredited installer that you need to have install the system. However, you can engage a solar retailer that uses accredited installers.

Likewise, it is essential that your solar panels and inverter, appear on the Clean Energy Council’s approved product lists.

In this article, we explain accredited installers, approved products and NETCC approved sellers.

Solar accreditation

Solar accreditation is necessary for all installers. Accreditation is now administered by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) and not the Clean Energy Council (CEC). The change came into effect in 2024. CEC installers are now SAA installers.

When assessing installer accreditation and weighing up solar companies, there are three industry bodies that you should be aware of:

• Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)
• Clean Energy Council (CEC)
• New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC)

NETCC approved sellers are solar companies that adhere to a voluntary industry code that affords a level of consumer protection but, it is not mandatory to select an NETCC approved seller.

SAA accredited installers (formerly CEC installers)

An SAA accredited installer is an individual that has completed the relevant safety, compliance and training modules for the install of rooftop solar systems. SAA accredited installers are recognised by the Clean Energy Regulator – the government body that runs the national solar rebate scheme.

A person can become an accredited designer, installer or both of three different types of systems:

• A grid-connect solar system
• A solar battery
• An off-grid (stand-alone) system

SAA accreditation and the solar rebate

If your system is not installed by an SAA accredited installer, you will not be eligible for the nationwide solar rebate.

Your solar panel system needs to be designed and installed by an SAA accredited solar installer to ensure you receive the incentive.

SAA accredited installers list

There are over 8,000 accredited installers in Australia. You can check to see if an installer is accredited here.

Companies and sub-contractors

SAA installer accreditation is an individual qualification. A solar company must use an individual with SAA accreditation to install a system.

Many companies have SAA accredited designers and installers on staff. However, it is quite common for solar retailers to sub-contract the installation to an SAA accredited installer.

CEC approved panels and inverters

In addition to the designer and installer accreditation, you need to ensure the solar panels and inverter you select are approved for install by the Clean Energy Council. If your system’s components do not appear on the approved list, you risk your eligibility for the solar rebate. It also means you may be purchasing an inferior product not regulated or tested for use in Australia.

Not all solar companies use the best solar panels in Australia. If you select a good solar company, it should be a given that they use CEC approved components, but it’s always best to check.

You can check to see if the panels and inverter are approved by using these links:

• CEC approved solar panels
• CEC approved inverters

Tip: Don’t just assume that a salesperson promoting a Tier 1 solar panel means that it appears on the CEC’s approved list.

NETCC approved seller

An NETCC approved seller is a company that is registered and complies with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC). An NETCC approved seller was once known as a CEC Approved Solar Retailer.

The NETCC is made up of several key bodies and consumer groups including:

• Clean Energy Council
• Australian Energy Council
• Consumer Action Law Centre
• Energy Consumers Australia
• Energy Networks Australia
• Renew

The NETCC program recognises solar companies that adhere to a code of conduct developed by the above organisations. The program seeks to boost consumer confidence by vetting companies that raise the bar above the minimum industry standard. NETCC approved sellers agree to a list of sales practices to inform and protect consumers. The cornerstone of the code of conduct for retailers is that they agree to honour all solar panel warranties.

There are two key differences between an NETCC Approved Seller and an SAA accredited installer:

• It is not mandatory to have your system installed by an NETCC Approved Seller.*
• SAA installer accreditation is an individual qualification, whereas the NETCC Approved Seller is a company mark.

* To receive the Victorian solar rebate, your system must be purchased from an Approved Seller.

What if your company is not an NETCC approved seller?

There are many good solar companies that have not registered to become NETCC approved sellers. The NETCC program, although not failsafe, can be a good starting point for sifting through the mass of solar companies.

Finding a good SAA installer

Finding a trustworthy installer is important. We provide tips on how you can choose the best solar installer.

The best place to start is with our free quote service. We ensure you receive a highest standards is to solar panel quote from reputable companies that we have vetted. We use many NETCC Approved Sellers, as well as companies that have not applied for the program but demonstrate an exceptional level of service and expertise.

All of the solar companies in the Solar Calculator network use SAA accredited installers to design and install systems. Having us organise quotes is a way to ensure you get a solar power system that qualifies for the federal solar rebate and a safe, reliable install.